If you are not aware of who Robert Tarbox is or who is Zodiac suspect is, here’s an article he wrote back in 2007 in the Vallejo Times.
My name is BOB TARBOX. I practiced law in San Francisco with an office on upper Montgomery St. My law partner was Joseph Git Jue. One night in Early 1970’s, I was sitting at my secretary’s desk around 5:30 p.m. A male approached the office door which was open and I motioned him to come into the office. He indicated he wanted to have a legal consultation so I locked the front door and went into my office. In the office, the individual produced as identification a MMD (Merchant Marine Document). Since I did Jones Act cases (personal injury at sea), I assumed he had a Jones Act case. He indicated to me that it was not a Jones Act case but a criminal case, and wanted to pay for an hour of legal consultation. We agreed upon the amount of $50.00 for the hour consultation.
The individual proceeded to inform me that he was the Zodiac Killer and we proceeded to talk about this legal jeopardy based on the facts provided. Having been pre-med at UC, I took some courses in psychology and I perceived this confession to be of a cathartic nature wherein the individual is changing his life’s path.
For many years, I have been under both legal and personal constraints with regard to this matter. The legal constraints still remain, but the personal constraints were severed by the death of my law partner and recent death of his wife RITA MOK JUE.
To the family of Mr. Allen: I have for years monitored Mr. Allen’s trails and tribulations in the investigation of the Zodiac Killer until his death in the early 1990’s. If he had been placed in actual legal jeopardy for these crimes, I would proffer my limited testimony to his defense attorney and I would have testified at any trial as to the prior confession of another individual. Since I have seen photos of Mr. Allen, I can express unequivocally that he was not the individual that confessed to me!
I personally believe the idea of Zodiac being some merchant marine who would escape to some job on a Navy fleet when things got to hot would make so much sense and would definitely explain why the Zodiac was so elusive.
Tarbox said his suspect showed him his MMD card (instead of a drivers license) which is another form of legal ID. It’s issued to all Merchant Marines and it can only be obtained in the state of CA at the Presidio of San Francisco, which as many you already know, is very close to the Paul Stine crime scene. Also, did any of you know that MMD card is also known commonly as a "Z card"?
Also the California Maritime Academy (the only place in CA a person would have to go to to become a Merchant Marine) is only 9.4 miles and 20 minutes away from the Lake Herman murder crime scene.
The CA Maritime Academy is also only 7.8 miles and 15 minutes away from the Blue Rock Springs attack.
Certainly NOT out of the realm of possibility. Wish Tarbox would have spilled the beans
There is more than one way to lose your life to a killer
http://www.zodiackillersite.com/
http://zodiackillersite.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/Morf13ZKS
I have always taken Tarbox seriously. Wish he’d say more.
When in doubt, don’t.
I find the Tarbox interview so interesting. Always hoped we could dig up more!
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If Zodiac ever joined a Z forum, I’m sure he would have been banned for not following forum rules. Zam’s/Quote
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MODERATOR
Is Tarbox the lawyer still living? I thought he had recently passed away but a quick Internet search didn’t show anything except a Robert Tarbox 1957-1975 who died in San Bernadino County. There were several Robert Tarboxes at Findagrave.com but only this young guy I just mentioned was in California. He was a clerk at a grocery store.
When in doubt, don’t.
Been meaning to post this for a while now. Sorry for the delay.
I’ve actually spoken with Robert Tarbox a few times. We even had lunch last April in Vegas. Robert is still very sharp and intelligent. He remembers all sorts of things about SF history. He also has great knowledge of economics and politics.
Here are my notes based on the times we talked:
Tarbox went to High School in Vallejo (never knew ALA) and college at UC Berkeley.
When the event occurred Tarbox’s office was in SF but he lived in Vallejo (Tarbox also had ads for his law practice in the Vallejo area). Tarbox office was between Belli’s office and home. Also very close to a few of the MM Union halls.
Tarbox is the first to admit he doesn’t know if the Seaman was really the Zodiac.
The Suspect:
The Seaman showed up late in the day and asked for legal counsel.
Tarbox wrote the man a receipt for $50. The Seaman didn’t leave a writing sample or signature.
The Seaman showed Tarbox his Merchant Marine ID card (Z card). His address was “the worst address anyone can have:”
General Delivery, San Francisco.”
Tarbox said he had the same “general delivery” mail setup as most merchant marines had back then. Felt the Seaman was in SF to get ready to make a pier jump, pick up his mail, and deal with his union.
Tarbox felt the the Seaman was from the Vallejo or Napa area because he knew about the lover’s lanes areas that most people would not know about if they where not from that area.
Tarbox talked to the Seaman for 2 hours. Only charged him for one.
Tarbox said the Seaman was worried about life in prison.
The Seaman admitted to talking advantage of situations. Said about the cab driver, he saw the opportunity and took it. Also admitted that he came very close to being caught the night of the cab killing. Stated it was the closest he had come to being captured.
The Seaman had “very good grammar.”
Tarbox said the man was very intelligent.
Physical Description:
Tarbox said the SF composite “didn’t make him think it was the same guy.”
The Seaman “had a good head of hair.” If it was receding, it was very minimal. His hair was NOT in a crew cut. The man did NOT wear glasses. The man was shorter than Tarbox (6’2”), wouldn’t call him stocky, but the Seaman had good amount of build to him.
Said the Seaman’s name was a standard American name. Nothing unusual.
The Seaman was definitely from the USA, not a foreigner.
Tarbox thought the name to be northern european. Not English or Irish, Tarbox is Irish and knows Irish names.
Tarbox guessed his age at younger than himself at the time (Tarbox was 45-47ish) He thinks the Seaman was 40 at the time.
Said he felt the Seaman looked like he was French Mediterranean. (Didn’t have a french name)
Tarbox was worried the Seaman might come back, he gave the name to his law partner as insurance. His former law partner passed in 1999.
He can’t give up name due to the : american bar association “canon” of professional ethics law. He wrote to the ABA to see what his options are. * It seems Tarbox thinks giving up the name would mean he would have to come forward in a legal way and testifying.
Thanks for that report. I do not doubt that Tarbox’s meeting with a man saying he was Zodiac did take place but unless that man is identified and questioned I doubt that we will know for sure. Did Tarbox know what this man’s job was in the merchant marine? Did he say which union he belonged to? There were many merchant marine unions and knowing might narrow down whether the man worked inside the bay or shipped out for long periods.
My husband was a merchant marine and lived in Napa. There were other fellow union members that lived in Napa, too.
If Tarbox is currently retired, he has nothing to lose by revealing the guy’s name.
Wonder what the victims and their families have to say about this state of affairs.
If Tarbox is currently retired, he has nothing to lose by revealing the guy’s name.
Wonder what the victims and their families have to say about this state of affairs.
I agree Nacht!
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Seriously. The guy should put up or shut up.
If Tarbox’s suspect is yet living that could be a problem.
When in doubt, don’t.
Been meaning to post this for a while now. Sorry for the delay.
I’ve actually spoken with Robert Tarbox a few times. We even had lunch last April in Vegas. Robert is still very sharp and intelligent. He remembers all sorts of things about SF history. He also has great knowledge of economics and politics.
Here are my notes based on the times we talked:
Tarbox went to High School in Vallejo (never knew ALA) and college at UC Berkeley.When the event occurred Tarbox’s office was in SF but he lived in Vallejo (Tarbox also had ads for his law practice in the Vallejo area). Tarbox office was between Belli’s office and home. Also very close to a few of the MM Union halls.
Tarbox is the first to admit he doesn’t know if the Seaman was really the Zodiac.
The Suspect:
The Seaman showed up late in the day and asked for legal counsel.
Tarbox wrote the man a receipt for $50. The Seaman didn’t leave a writing sample or signature.The Seaman showed Tarbox his Merchant Marine ID card (Z card). His address was “the worst address anyone can have:”
General Delivery, San Francisco.”Tarbox said he had the same “general delivery” mail setup as most merchant marines had back then. Felt the Seaman was in SF to get ready to make a pier jump, pick up his mail, and deal with his union.
Tarbox felt the the Seaman was from the Vallejo or Napa area because he knew about the lover’s lanes areas that most people would not know about if they where not from that area.
Tarbox talked to the Seaman for 2 hours. Only charged him for one.
Tarbox said the Seaman was worried about life in prison.The Seaman admitted to talking advantage of situations. Said about the cab driver, he saw the opportunity and took it. Also admitted that he came very close to being caught the night of the cab killing. Stated it was the closest he had come to being captured.
The Seaman had “very good grammar.”
Tarbox said the man was very intelligent.Physical Description:
Tarbox said the SF composite “didn’t make him think it was the same guy.”
The Seaman “had a good head of hair.” If it was receding, it was very minimal. His hair was NOT in a crew cut. The man did NOT wear glasses. The man was shorter than Tarbox (6’2”), wouldn’t call him stocky, but the Seaman had good amount of build to him.
Said the Seaman’s name was a standard American name. Nothing unusual.
The Seaman was definitely from the USA, not a foreigner.
Tarbox thought the name to be northern european. Not English or Irish, Tarbox is Irish and knows Irish names.Tarbox guessed his age at younger than himself at the time (Tarbox was 45-47ish) He thinks the Seaman was 40 at the time.
Said he felt the Seaman looked like he was French Mediterranean. (Didn’t have a french name)
Tarbox was worried the Seaman might come back, he gave the name to his law partner as insurance. His former law partner passed in 1999.
He can’t give up name due to the : american bar association “canon” of professional ethics law. He wrote to the ABA to see what his options are. * It seems Tarbox thinks giving up the name would mean he would have to come forward in a legal way and testifying.
Thanks for the info and much appreciated! Like Patinky mentioned did Tarbox say anything about the MM still being alive or deceased ?
Tarbox doesn’t know whether or not the Seaman is alive or not. He has not heard from the Seaman or heard anything about the Seaman since that day in the early 1970’s.
Tarbox has also seen a list of common Z suspects and none mach the seaman’s name.
Thank you very much Paul_Averly for the update. I guess if Mr. Tarbox is alive the Zodiac can be too. 
When in doubt, don’t.
Something that bothers me about Tarbox’s suspect is that he sounds like the perfect Zodiac suspect…merchant marine, Vallejo insider, the Belli connection, etc. It’s like if you were going to come up with a new Z suspect from scratch for a book or movie, this would be your suspect. Interesting also that Jack the Ripper was suspected of being a merchant seaman. I’m not saying Mr. Tarbox never had this conversation, but I find it odd how his suspect so neatly fits the profile.
